Athlone events as part of ‘Hello, How Are You?’ initiative

The opportunity to say 'Hello' in person was significantly restricted during the pandemic in recent years - yes, we could indeed express it through text messages, phone calls Skype and Zoom. However, there is no substitute for saying it in person.

With this in mind Mental Health Ireland building on previous experience of hosting a number of county Hello, How Are You? days in recent years is hosting a National Hello, How Are You? day on Thursday, April 7.

Athlone Family Resource Centre (AFRC) is supporting the campaign in Athlone along with TUS - Athlone Student Union. Delores Crerar, Director, AFRC, said she is delighted to see the event go national and that the AFRC is thrilled to be rolling it out in Athlone in partnership with Mental Health Ireland’s Regional Office”.

A recent survey conducted by Healthy Ireland has demonstrated that 81% of recipients showed lower levels of social connectedness in recent times. In response to that reality Mental Health Ireland has developed this campaign to start conversations, encouraging greater social connection., by saying 'Hello, How Are You?'

Saying Hello, How Are You is such an important and regular question we pose when we bump into someone, answer a phone, send a text message and so on.

This campaign is about connection and having an open conversation about mental health. The Westmeath campaign is asking individuals, communities, workplaces friends and families to say 'Hello, How Are You? in a meaningful way.

The campaign is focusing on five simple steps H. E.L.L.O. (H: Hello E: Engage L: Listen L: Learn and O: Options). This supports people to reach out, say hello and ask how you are to a family member, a neighbour, a colleague at work. When we communicate, we are connecting and from doing so we can get reassurance should we have concerns or worries about some life event.

“The concept of the campaign,” Finola Colgan Development Officer Mental Health Ireland said, “is by asking this short but meaningful question and having one conversation can make a real difference in someone’s life. Creating, maintaining and staying connected with other helps tackle loneliness ,creates a sense of belonging and purpose and builds relationships.”

Mental Health Ireland has co-produced a suite of resources to provide people with the tools and confidence to genuinely ask 'Hello, How Are You?' and really listen to the response. The information will also support and signpost someone to appropriate services or agencies if needed. Please visit https://hellohowareyou.info to learn more about the campaign , and to get ideas of how you can become involved in this campaign on Thursday.

Ms Colgan said: “No event is too small to start those important conversations and to say 'Hello, How Are You?'” Mental Health Ireland is inviting community groups, workplaces, and organisations across the county to join them, get involved and host an event such as a coffee morning, a walk or a workshop or an awareness session in their place of work.

Athlone FRC and Joanne Naughton, Social Prescriber, are hosting an information stand in Golden Island Shopping Centre on Thursday 7, so drop by and say Hello!

Follow 'Hello Westmeath, How Are You?' on FB for more information.